Julen Lopetegui must find a way to lift the mood at West Ham with a positive result as his side host Ipswich this afternoon.
It’s been a poor start to life in the Hammers dugout for the former Wolves boss, who has won just one of his first six Premier League games since replacing David Moyes, in addition to being hammered by Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.
West Ham’s only top-flight victory so far this season came away at London rivals Crystal Palace in August, with three defeats from three at home in the league so far.
While Lopetegui is right to point out that all of those losses came against teams in Europe this term - Aston Villa, Manchester City and Chelsea - fans are already becoming notably frustrated and he could really use a comfortable victory to quell some of the unrest already growing among the fanbase.
Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich have yet to win on their first return to this level since 2002, losing their opening two matches against Liverpool and City before four draws on the bounce - including a rousing comeback point against high-flying Villa at Portman Road last weekend.
Date, kick-off time and venue
West Ham vs Ipswich is scheduled for a 3pm BST kick-off time today, Saturday October 5, 2024.
The match will take place at the London Stadium.
Where to watch West Ham vs Ipswich
TV channel: In the UK, Saturday’s game will not be televised live as it takes place during the 3pm Saturday blackout observed across English football.
Highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights from 5:15pm, with Match of the Day broadcasting on BBC One at 10:30pm on Saturday night.
West Ham vs Ipswich team news
West Ham remain without German striker Niclas Fullkrug, who is still struggling with a calf injury and hasn’t featured since August. However, midfielder Edson Alvarez is back from his one-match suspension in a boost for Lopetegui, who certainly cannot blame his early struggles on a lengthy injury list.
Nathan Broadhead, Harry Clarke and Jens-Lys Cajuste are all doubts for Ipswich, meanwhile.
West Ham vs Ipswich prediction
It is foolish to describe any game in early October as must-win, particularly one that comes as early as this in the reign of a new manager.
But Lopetegui seems to have very quickly lost the benefit of the doubt among West Ham fans, many of whom doubted from the outset that his brand of football was enough of a departure from that of predecessor Moyes.
While surely not a sackable offence at this stage, failing to beat newly-promoted and winless Ipswich would only see the early pressure on the Spaniard ramp up significantly, with the doubters certainly not assuaged by a battling draw at Brentford last time out.
Ipswich may not have a league win to their name yet this season, but will not be short on confidence and ambition as they look to take advantage of a growing West Ham malaise that could become much worse by 5pm on Saturday.
Draw, 1-1.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Saturday is the first meeting between these two teams since the relegation-threatened Tractor Boys stunned promotion-chasing West Ham 5-1 at Portman Road in the Championship back in January 2012.
Ipswich also won at Upton Park that season against a West Ham team that would eventually win the play-offs under Sam Allardyce, thanks to Lee Bowyer’s late effort against his former club.
West Ham wins: 27
Ipswich wins: 21
Draws: 20
West Ham vs Ipswich match odds
West Ham to win: 17/20
Ipswich to win: 16/5
Draw: 29/10
